Kitchen

If you are thinking of purchasing a new oven, consider buying a self-cleaning oven, which uses less energy. Minimize cleaning the oven to less than once a month, and do it right after cooking to take advantage of the residual heat.

Make sure the stove top electric coils work properly. After time, they wear out, causing large power drains.

Preheating your oven may be necessary if you’re baking breads and cakes, but for most foods, like casseroles and broiled items, preheating isn’t necessary and wastes energy.

Try not to open your oven door too often to check your food. Each time you open it, the temperature drops 25 degrees.

Use glass or ceramic pans in ovens. You can turn down the temperature of your oven about 25 degrees and your foods will cook just as quickly.

Use the microwave oven or toaster oven to cook small to medium sized meals. Microwave ovens use 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens.